'Old-Style Priest' Blessed 60,000 Animals

'Old-Style Priest' Blessed 60,000 Animals

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Canon Horace Baugh

Canon Horace Baugh, an Anglican priest well-known for inaugurating Montreal's annual blessing of the pets atop Mount Royal Park and building the skiers' chapel in St. Sauveur des Monts in the Laurentians, died July 22 at the age of 91. Hundreds gathered at the funeral held July 27 at Christ Church, Mille Isles, one of several churches in the Laurentians that Mr. Baugh helped to build, reported the Montreal Gazette.

A recipient of various community service medals, Mr. Baugh had also served as town councillor in Morin Heights, Que., as a school commissioner (for 50 years) and as a justice of the peace. After 64 years as a priest, he was, at his death, still active as priest-in-charge of New Glasgow and Kilkenny parishes. He conducted services even after losing his sight seven years ago.

Bishop Barry Clarke, diocesan bishop of Montreal, who conducted the funeral service, said Mr. Baugh was "an old-style priest" who would not only" be remembered for his loyalty to the church but "for his willingness to take on added responsibilities and reach out to the community." The bishop added, "He had strong conviction for all of creation, not just the human part but the animal world as well. …